The Beginning At Last

A multifaceted question

—

by

Kevin
in ,
Daily writing prompt
What does freedom mean to you?
View all responses

This is one of those questions that could have multiple meanings.

Living in a free, or “free” country?

The freedom to go where I want, when I want?

Financial freedom?

The freedom to hang out with whomever I choose to, regardless of race, sexual preference, religion or opinion?

At the end of the day, the word “freedom” has a lot of connotations, most of them pretty valid.

I think ultimately, we all want the same thing – the freedom to do what we want within reason, live our lives as we choose without having to explain ourselves, and to enjoy the relatively short time we have here on this rock.

© The Beginning At Last

Comments

48 responses to “A multifaceted question”

  1. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    Sometimes there is an illusion of freedom, yes.

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      Sometimes, indeed. Sometimes all we can do is play the hand we’re dealt

      Liked by 4 people

      Reply
  2. mahalakshmiarun777 Avatar
    mahalakshmiarun777

    Freedom well explained

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      Thank you 🙏🙏

      Like

      Reply
  3. rugby843 Avatar
    rugby843

    Agreed and live the big guy😀

    Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      Thank you 🙏

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. Liz Avatar
    Liz

    Yes. I agree.

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      Thank you 🙏

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  5. Darryl B Avatar
    Darryl B

    Love the artwork 😎👍

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      Thank you, Darryl 🙏

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  6. Destiny Avatar
    Destiny

    well said to that ultimately, Kevin 🙏

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      Thank you 🙏🙏

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  7. AM Avatar
    AM

    When I was a kid, I dreamed of “being free”. For me that meant that I’d spend all my life in front of the tv and eating as much candy as I’d like.

    And that’s what I do 😂. It’s not that fun, really. I’m both poor and overweight.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      I think we all have fantasies of things like that, and then we realize it’s not all it’s cracked up to be. As much as I might complain about it, going to work does serve a purpose besides just the money. That said I was able to find plenty to do while I was unemployed and my days were quite nice LOL
      But the key was actually having stuff to do if I just sat around that entire time I would have gone completely nuts

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
      1. AM Avatar
        AM

        Yeah I don’t do well by being so “free” either. Now that I’m so frickin’ busy all the time, I don’t have time to listen to the worst impulses of mine. I’m also too tired to do any of the small ones.

        All I need now is a better income. Let’s hope I’ll get that soon.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Kevin Avatar
        Kevin

        Fingers crossed that it works out for you! 🤞

        Liked by 1 person

      3. AM Avatar
        AM

        Thanks ❤️

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Kevin Avatar
        Kevin

        😊

        Like

  8. daisy Avatar
    daisy

    Very true 👏🙂🙂

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      Thank you 🙏 🙏

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  9. rebuilding rob Avatar
    rebuilding rob

    Well said. I just wasn’t ready to tackle this one last night/ this morning.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      Thank you Rob. Just my simple. 02 🙏

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  10. MaryG Avatar
    MaryG

    The ferret is awfully cute! And also kinda jacked – in a ferret way 😃

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      He does enjoy working out…😄

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  11. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    I think freedom is a mindset. You could be in prison and be free in your mind. This means certain people can’t be broken in prison. They are beyond common chains. Although the body is incarcerated, their mind is free and unleashed. Loot at Nelson Mandela. 28 years in prison, but his mind could never be broken. That is true freedom.

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      Reminds me of the Stallone movie Lock Up. When one of his fellow inmates asks him why he’s always so positive, he says something to the effect of “Your body may have to be here, but your mind doesn’t.”
      Who knew a Stallone prison movie could be so insightful? 😄

      Liked by 3 people

      Reply
      1. Chris Avatar
        Chris

        Who knew 😊 Good movie though

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Kevin Avatar
        Kevin

        Yeah, it is. A lot of people rag on Sly, but he’s had some great movies, and seems like a cool dude.

        Liked by 2 people

      3. Chris Avatar
        Chris

        I always liked Sly. Especially since I saw the documentary about him on Netflix. The first words he says are: “People always ask me if I have regrets. Of course I have plenty of regrets, things I could’ve done differently”. You don’t hear that from a big movie star every day. Great guy.

        Liked by 3 people

      4. Kevin Avatar
        Kevin

        Yeah, he seems really humble, and he truly is a motivational guy. He could have given up 1,000 times, but he made his dream come true. And in his late 70s to look like he does? Forget it.
        I don’t care if it is HGH and TRT aided. There’s still a ton of commitment behind that physique.

        Liked by 3 people

      5. Chris Avatar
        Chris

        Absolutely true. And Sly wrote all the scripts to his movies himself. Such a talent and determination to never give up.

        Liked by 2 people

      6. Kevin Avatar
        Kevin

        And wouldn’t back down when they wanted to cast someone else as Rocky. Major balls for an unknown actor.

        Liked by 2 people

      7. Chris Avatar
        Chris

        He knew that he had to do this no matter what. It gave the movie the credibility it wouldn’t have had otherwise.

        Liked by 2 people

      8. stanleystanchi Avatar
        stanleystanchi

        Absolutely correct.

        Liked by 1 person

  12. RasmaSandra Avatar
    RasmaSandra

    The rock rules, We can climb it, sit on it, travel about it, as long as we abide by all the rules. Picking wildflowers in a meadow, taking a neat looking rock from a hike, reaching down to pet a friskie animal as long as said animal does not bite, and even dancing in the rain, What is not to like about freedom? I hope you’re enjoying the weekend.

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      Thank you, and you as well! 🙏🙏

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  13. tenzenmen Avatar
    tenzenmen

    As AM kinda alluded to in their reply, I’m of a mind that most people don’t want freedom – they wouldn’t know what to do with it.

    After living in both the UK and Australia for 30 years, my mind was blown when I went to China more than 20 years ago and saw people there with WAY more freedom that I had! And the way the UK and Oz have gone I can imagine that gap has widened. For a long time the Australian government has been criticised by Aussies as a nanny-state.

    And as Chris said, freedom is a mindset. Along with Mandela are the stories of Victor Frankl and James Stockdale.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      I think you and Chris make a fantastic point. A lot of it lies in our mental approach. A lot of people have been quite content with what most would consider “less”

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  14. Mthobisi Magagula Avatar
    Mthobisi Magagula

    A thought provoking blog post Kevin. In my own view, freedom has a lot of connotations and definitions that are different from one person to another. Others believe freedom is doing what you want especially when you are an adult above 18 years. Others think some countries don’t have freedom of expression such as those women for example, they can’t say anything bad about their male figures. Freedom to others is not something they have freely, it is affected by race, age and gender to some states💯🙌

    Liked by 5 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      Great observations and I agree that freedom and the concept of, is unique to each individual. And in most cases, there is no wrong answer within reason. Thanks 🙏

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
    2. stanleystanchi Avatar
      stanleystanchi

      Freedom is a state of mind and a complex reality. There are many countries which don’t seem proper for me to mention by name now. They were previously fought for freedom and achieved independence, only to find that the path to true freedom is riddled with various obstacles. Though they got what they wanted, but not exactly what they needed.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Mthobisi Magagula Avatar
        Mthobisi Magagula

        I see Stanley. This comment is quite thought provoking. Freedom has many definitions according to me.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. stanleystanchi Avatar
        stanleystanchi

        You’re right. I have no doubt about that.

        Liked by 1 person

  15. stanleystanchi Avatar
    stanleystanchi

    The concept of freedom is indeed complex and multifaceted.
    True freedom involves not only the absence of external constraints but also the responsible exercise of one’s own will. excessive freedom, or profligacy, can lead to complacency and a false sense of readiness. It is important to recognize that freedom comes with huge responsibilities, both to oneself and to others as well.
    While freedom is often associated with individual autonomy, it can also exacerbate existing inequalities. For example, those who enjoy greater economic freedom may have access to better healthcare, education, and other resources, while those who lack such freedom may be left behind.
    Ultimately, freedom lies in the ability to live a life of dignity and fulfillment, free from oppression and want. This includes having access to basic necessities such as clean water, decent food, and proper medical care. True freedom also involves the ability to participate fully in society and to make choices that shape one’s own life and the lives of others.
    Life unrestrained or freedom is a precious and essential value, it is important to be aware of its potential pitfalls and to exercise it responsibly. True freedom is not simply the absence of constraints, but the ability to live a life of dignity, opportunity, and purpose. You dont have to infer, but indubitable about freedom.

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  16. amazonsclique Avatar
    amazonsclique

    This answer sum it all up nicely

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
    1. Kevin Avatar
      Kevin

      Thank you 🙏

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  17. thesureplugdotcom Avatar
    thesureplugdotcom

    Freedom

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply
  18. mutshidzi Netshiluvhi Avatar
    mutshidzi Netshiluvhi

    Nice

    Liked by 4 people

    Reply

Leave a comment